costa

[ kos-tuh, kaw-stuh ]
/ ˈkɒs tə, ˈkɔ stə /

noun, plural cos·tae [kos-tee, kaw-stee] /ˈkɒs ti, ˈkɔ sti/.

a rib or riblike part.
the midrib of a leaf in mosses.
a ridge.
Entomology.
  1. Also called costal vein. a vein, usually marginal, in the anterior portion of the wing of certain insects.
  2. Also called costal margin. the anterior edge or border of the wing of certain insects.

Origin of costa

1865–70; < Latin: rib, side. See coast

OTHER WORDS FROM costa

pseu·do·cos·ta, noun, plural pseu·do·cos·tae.

Definition for costa (2 of 2)

Costa
[ kaw-stuh ]
/ ˈkɔ stə /

noun

Lú·cio [loo-syoo] /ˈlu syu/,1902–98, Brazilian architect, chief designer of Brasilia.

Example sentences from the Web for costa

British Dictionary definitions for costa

costa
/ (ˈkɒstə) /

noun plural -tae (-tiː)

the technical name for rib 1 (def. 1)
a riblike part, such as the midrib of a plant leaf

Derived forms of costa

costal, adjective

Word Origin for costa

C19: from Latin: rib, side, wall

Medical definitions for costa

costa
[ kŏstə ]

n. pl. cos•tae (-tē)

Rib.
A rodlike internal supporting organelle that runs along the base of the undulating membrane of certain flagellate parasites. basal rod

Other words from costa

costal adj.

Scientific definitions for costa

costa
[ kŏstə ]

Plural costae (kŏs)

A rib or a riblike part, such as the midrib of a leaf or a thickened anterior vein or margin of an insect's wing.